Donation Campaign

Got the Financial Ball Rolling

VacaValley Hospital would not exist without the 3,500 businesses, volunteer groups, medical center employees and individuals, who helped raise more than $1.2 million to help get the facility built.

Fairfield City Manager B. Gale Wilson (left to right) then-administrator Allison Esparza and then-Vacaville Mayor Bill Carroll on hand for opening day festivities.

Back in 1984, a contingent of local business people and citizens gathered to form “Vacaville Partners in Progress,” a fund-raising campaign committee. The committee was led by then-Mayor Bill Carroll, who was also a member of NorthBay’s board of directors, as well as Tom McNunn, who was chief executive officer of the Vacaville Chamber of Commerce.

Back in 1984, a contingent of local business people and citizens gathered to form “Vacaville Partners in Progress,” a fund-raising campaign committee.

Other committee members agreed to tackle the fund-raising job by focusing on various sectors of the community, according to a story published in The Reporter in 1987. Then-Vacaville Fire Chief Bob Powell tackled the local government and education sectors; then-Councilman Mike Conner agreed to cover business and commerce; and business woman JoAnn Neal was in charge of the professional sector. Business owner Angelo Vierra contacted public service organizations, while Gregg Werner, city planning director, and Chamber of Commerce supporter Jack Jenkins sought out community groups.

Much of the financing to build the Vacaville facility and expand NorthBay Medical Center in Fairfield came from tax-exempt municipal bonds sold through a joint-powers agreement between Vacaville and Fairfield, The Reporter story noted.

Contributors were many and from all sectors of Vacaville. Businesses gave from $100 to $100,000. Other firms showed their support by donating much-needed services or equipment. NorthBay Medical Center employees raised $76,000 for the campaign, and the NorthBay Guild pledged $400,000.

“A hospital in Vacaville has been greatly needed by the community for a long time,” noted John Bowman of Bowman Stationers Inc., and a Partners in Progress donor in The Reporter story. “We were very happy to support the project any way we could.”

“The town is maturing into a solid community, not just a small town,” added Eldon Ray, retired businessman and hospital supporter.

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